Charles e



(No Model.)

0. E. JOHNSON. HAMB.

No. 454,682. Patented June 23, 1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. JOHNSON, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

HAM E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0.454582, dated June 23,1891. Application filed March 21, 1891. Serial No. 385,906. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at O0- lumbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio,have invented new and useful Improvements in Hames, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in hames; and it consists in theconstruction and arrangement of parts more fully described hereinafter,and definitely pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a pair of hames constructed toadmit of an adj ustment to increase or decrease the size and provide thesame with a simple, convenient, and easily-operated fastening which willsecurely unite the ends thereof in a manner to prevent twisting orlateral play.

This object I accomplish by the construction illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and in which 7 Figure 1 is afront elevationof myimprovement. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the metallic parts.Fig. 3 is a top plan of the hinge. Fig. 4 is a detail of the adjustableconnection, and Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the ends fastened.

In the drawings, A represents the yoke, constructed with dilated upperends, which have suitabledouble knuckles formed thereon to constitute ahinge a, the lower ends tapering and the center being ribbed or raised,as at a. At the ends of the yoke are formed pockets B, the same beingintegral therewith, the outer walls of which are extended down and haveelongated slots 1) formed therein.

The muzzled'or lower ends of the hame are constructed with a solidportion 0 and D, each having depending lips a (Z and parallel meetingedges.

The upper portions of the muzzles are formed with pockets E therein,while their outer walls are extended upward and bent in at right angles,the ends being continued upwardly and having elongated slots 6 e,corresponding and coinciding with the slots in the extensions B.

Within the pockets are the hame-sticks F,

on which the outer metallic extension rests, the ends of these sticksprojecting into the pockets any suitable distance, according to the sizedesired.

G represents the tug-hooks, which are fastened to the hames by boltspassing through the hame-sticks and through the slot in the metallicsides. \Vhen it is desired to lengthen the hames, these bolts areloosened, allowing the metallic sides to be drawn apart or forcedtogether, as the case maybe, the bolt remaining stationary as well asthe hame-sticks. IVhen they are adjusted, the bolts are again tightened,securely uniting the parts in place.

An opening at is made through the lip d, and through thisopeningaspringHis passed, the upper end of which is secured to thehames, while its lower end is provided with an inclined head 71 having alocking-shoulderthereon. The lip c has a catch-opening formed therein,through which the head h passes until the shoulder reaches the oppositeside of thelip. It then falls or is forced by the resiliency of thespring down back of the lip and securely locks the ends together, makinga very tight joint by virtue of the parallel faces of the ends. Tounlock the ends, the head 71. is pressed up, escaping the lip, and isthen forced out of the opening.

I is a pin extending out from the face of the muzzle O, and is intendedto closely fit in a pocket formed inthe opposite muzzle directly abovethe spring-catch, thereby preventing the two parts from twisting.

It is to be understood that the parts above described are to beconstructed of metal, with the exception of the hame-sticks, therebyadding strength to the structure. 15y formin g the yoke of metal andmaking the knuckle of increased width I am enabled to secure anincreased bearing for the joint, thereby strengthening the same.

I am aware that many minor changes in the construction and arrangement.of the parts of my device can be made Without in the least departingfrom the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a hame, the combination, with the yoke composed of two parts,having their adjacent ends increased in width and hinged together, ofpockets formed on the lower ends of the yoke, having their outer wallsextended down beyond the same, two muzzles having pockets formed thereinwith upwardlyextending outer portion overlapping the extensions of theyoke, tug-hooks passing through said overlapping ends, hame-stioks inthe pockets, and a fastening for the muzzle, substantially as described.

2. In a hame,the combination, with the yoke composed of two parts,having their ad- 3' acent ends hinged together, of pockets formed on thelower ends of the yoke, having their outer Walls extending down beyondthe same, two niuzzles having pockets formed therein withupwardly-extending outer portion overlapping the extensions of the yoke,means for uniting said overlapping ends, halne-sticks justableconnection between said overlapping ends, hame-sticks in the pockets,and a fastening for the muzzle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES JOHNSON. \Vitnesses:

W. W. MACY, L. S. J owns.

